It may not have been a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, listening to the fans' rendition of his anthem. After a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he scored his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Ensure the Win
Courtois knew better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial save from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. At the end of a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may consider a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in trouble is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had warned in advance.
Juventus, who hadn’t won since last month, did cause Madrid problems at the start and again near the end. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, especially with the French defender running and Vlahović linking up, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
They had started well, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were ahead, the forward somewhat unlucky to be penalized for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to slide ahead of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed past the post.
Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a even better stop. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, though, and the three best opportunities fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. A couple were headed over, a third one deflected wide; another headed opportunity was missed by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of the French superstar yet, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid got to a goal. First his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make eight saves. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him turn the full-back twice until he went down to the turf and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
Militão dived to stop Kalulu at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when suddenly the attacker was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a pass inside his own penalty box and the ball deflecting from the instep of his boot right through the middle to past the center circle. Racing after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović outpaced his marker, using his strength and advancing into the box where Courtois made the stop.
Next what tends to happen occurred, the save compensated for by the goal that comes after it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough room amid four men to unleash a low, left-footed shot which struck the upright. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman stopped by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley deflected by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of the substitute unmarked in the area. Finally in the final seconds Courtois flew in to stop Thuram, his work done. For the visitors, there was no way back, the opening goal of the season the last of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and thinking of that instant, returning in the Champions League and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, excellent. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”
Regarding his performance, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know the perception was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still good moments but not the standard I want to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
